One sunny afternoon, a scruffy brown dog named Buster trotted through the village, his nose twitching at the smell of freshly baked bread. Buster loved food more than anything—especially bones. He’d dig through trash bins, chase delivery carts, and even beg at café tables just to get a tasty treat. 
That day, luck seemed to shine on him. Behind the butcher’s shop, he spotted a giant bone left on a wooden crate. It was thick, juicy, and glistening with bits of meat. “Mine!” he yelped, snatching it up. Clutching the bone tightly in his jaws, he dashed into the forest, determined to enjoy his prize alone.
As Buster wandered, he came across a babbling brook. The water sparkled under the sunlight, and he paused to drink. But as he leaned over, he noticed another dog in the reflection. This dog looked just like him—same floppy ears, same scruffy fur—but it held an even bigger bone in its mouth!
Buster’s eyes widened. That bone is enormous! he thought greedily. If I take it, I’ll have two! Without thinking, he opened his jaws to bark at the stranger. But the moment he did, his own bone slipped out and splashed into the water below. The “other dog” vanished, and the current swept Buster’s treasure away.
“No!” he howled, pawing at the stream. But the bone was gone. Heartbroken, Buster trudged home, his tail dragging in the dirt.
The next morning, Buster’s friend, a wise old tortoise named Tilly, found him moping under a willow tree. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice slow and steady.
Buster whined, “I lost the best bone ever because I wanted more!”
Tilly nodded. “Ah, greed tricks us into losing what we already have.” She pointed her wrinkled head toward the village. “But kindness can fill empty bellies too. Follow me.”
Curious, Buster trailed behind Tilly. She led him to the town square, where a baker was handing out day-old rolls to hungry strays. Buster hung back, ashamed, but Tilly nudged him forward. “Go on,” she said. “Share a little, gain a lot.”
Timidly, Buster took one roll—then noticed a skinny puppy watching him. Remembering Tilly’s words, he broke the bread in half and pushed a piece toward the puppy. The pup wagged its tail and devoured the crumbs. Soon, other dogs gathered, and Buster shared bits of his roll with each one.
To his surprise, the baker noticed. “Good dog!” she said, tossing him a new bone. “You’ve got a generous heart.”
Buster blinked. The bone wasn’t as big as the one he’d lost, but it felt heavier with happiness. He trotted home, this time stopping at the brook to drink—and smile at his reflection. The “greedy dog” was gone. In its place stood a contented pup who’d learned a priceless lesson.
From that day on, Buster still loved bones, but he loved sharing them even more. And whenever he passed the stream, he’d wag his tail at the dog in the water—a friend who always wagged back.
The End
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Moral of the Story: Chasing more can make us lose what we already have. Sometimes, sharing a little fills our hearts more than keeping everything for ourselves. Sweet dreams, little ones! ✨
